Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
129. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the efforts to double Ireland's global footprint by 2025; the actions taken to date; the actions that will be taken in the short to medium-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6410/19]
View answerIn launching 'Global Ireland 2025', the Government committed to the most ambitious renewal and expansion of Ireland’s international presence ever undertaken.
We have committed to a range of measures to advance our strategic international objectives. This includes deepening our network by strengthening our presence in key existing locations, and opening new offices. This will enable us to leverage the opportunities to grow our trade and inward investment, to further strengthen political relationships with our partners and promote our values, and to support Irish citizens and our diaspora abroad.
Work is advancing on the expansion and strengthening of Ireland’s diplomatic network. Our new Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, opened officially in August 2018. Since its opening the Embassy has been busy campaigning for Ireland’s Security Council Campaign; has hosted a number of events to engage with the political and business community; and has successfully supported a number of high level bilateral visits.
Ireland’s new Consulate General in Vancouver opened in October 2018 and has been working closely with the local business community, the Vancouver Chapter of the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Irish Community in the region.
An Embassy was established in Liberia in June 2018 (which replaced the Development Office in the country). This is an important first step in bolstering our existing political and economic connections in West Africa and seeking out new opportunities and links in the region.
Looking ahead, staff recently arrived on the ground in Bogotá, Amman, Mumbai and Santiago de Chile, and these Missions will officially open shortly. These new Missions will promote Ireland and Irish interests over the St. Patrick’s Day period with each hosting a Ministerial visit. The next phase of expansion will focus on Cardiff, Los Angeles and Frankfurt in 2019, and Embassies in Kiev, Manila and Rabat shortly thereafter.
Global Ireland also recognises the importance of reinforcing our existing network to enable us to better shape and influence international events in our interests. At a time of considerable challenge for the European Union, I see it as imperative that we deepen our engagement with our EU partners. That’s why we are augmenting our Embassies in Rome and Madrid, Warsaw and The Hague, as we have already done in Paris and Berlin. It will allow us to play a more active role in supporting and promoting a rules based international environment and will help us play our full role in addressing some of the global challenges that will impact us over the period ahead.
